The Savanna Biome
Climate
Savannas also known as tropical
grasslands
Climate is based on location near equator
(Africa and Australia locations)
Warm temperatures year-round
Temperature range: 68-86 degrees
Wet/dry climate:
Rain at certain times of year
Geologic features
Climate allows for plant growth, but not wet
enough for forests.
Between tropical rainforests and desert biomes.
Flat, rolling grasslands.
Soil:
•
porous
•
rapid drainage
•
only thin layer of humus (helps vegetation)
Seasons
Two seasons: wet season (summer) and
dry season (winter)
Dry season: most of the plants shrivel up
and die; some rivers and streams dry up;
most of the animals migrate to find food.
Wet season: all of the plants are lush and
the rivers flow freely;the animals migrate
back to graze
Comparable Animals
Lion
Lion and Caracal
- most powerful predator
- eat small to medium sized animals
- live in groups (prides)
- lead by one male
- leftovers provide food for other animals
- run up to 40 mph
Caracal
- hunt small to large animals
- live alone
- male abandons female after gives birth
- run up to 50 mph
Comparable Animals
Comparable Animals
Dwarf Mongoose
- live in communities
Dwarf
Mongoose
and
Meerkat
- live in fallen logs or burrow underground
- eat snakes, bird eggs, insects, reptiles
- diurnal
- very vocal
Meerkat
- type of mongoose
- live in communities
- burrow underground
- insects, birds, reptiles, small rodents
- nocturnal
- very vocal
Animal Adaptations in the
Savanna
Animal Adaptations in the
Savanna
Animal Adaptations
The Giraffe
Because the Savanna is very
dry and arid, giraffes are
adapted to go weeks without
water, getting their needed
water supply from the morning
dew and water from the food
they eat.
Their long necks allow them
to feed from high treetops
and make them less
susceptible to predators.
The Koala Bear
Koala bears have adapted to
their dry environment by almost
never drinking. Instead, they get
water from the leaves of
Eucalyptus trees in the
Australian savanna.
Their hands also have a large
gap between the first and second
fingers and their big toe has a
wide angle to make it easier for
them to stay in these trees all day.
Animal
Adaptations
The African
Elephant
African elephants
have been physically
adapted to get water
not available to other
animals in the
savanna. Their
adapted strength
allows them to tear
open the trunk of the
baobab tree and suck
the water from it with
their long trunks.
The Rhinoceros
The rhinoceros
has thick skin that
protects it from the
underbrush in the
savanna and very large
ears and noses so that
they can hear and
smell very acutely for
food and dangers in
their environment.
Animal Adaptations
The White Throated Monitor
During the dry months in the savanna (July to
December) the white throated monitor has
adapted to fast.
When the dry months have ended, because of the
dry environment around it, the monitor seeks to
feed while expending as little energy as possible. It
achieves this by not chewing its prey, but,
doubling the size of its adapted mouth and
swallowing whole.
Plant Adaptations
Plant Adaptations
The Baobab Tree Bermuda Grass
The baobab tree has
adapted to growing
short clusters of leaves
only during the wet
season to prevent water
loss from the leaf.
This tree also can store
water in its trunk for the
dry season.
Bermuda grass is
adapted to warm,
dry climates, so
when the flooding
occurs in the
savanna, the
Bermuda grass
dies. When the dry
season returns, it
regrows quickly.
Plant Adaptations
The Acacia Tree The Eucalyptus Tre
The acacia tree has long,
sharp thorns to protect its
leaves from being eaten by
herbivorous animals.
It also has taproots that
can grow up to 115ft
underground to get water
in the dry season.
The eucalyptus tree
grows vertical leaves to
lessen surface area of sun
exposure, keeping the
leaves from drying. The
leaves are also thick with
few breathing pores and a
waxy covering to prevent
water loss during the dry
season.
Plant Adaptations
The Kangaroo Paw
Kangaroo paws grow tiny, wooly hairs on
its flowers. These hairs taste bad to
herbivores preventing them from eating
them and the hairs also help retain water in
the dry climate.
Comparable Plants
The umbrella thorn acacia grows in the sand
dunes of the savanna and the river bushwillow
grows in grassland along river banks. Both plants
grow deep taproots to get water during the dry
months, they both prefer warm, dry climates to
grow in, and both are widely used as shade trees
by animals in the savanna.